There was above average attendance at Creston Rotary Club Monday as the local service club hosted U.S. Congressman Tom Latham for a lunch meeting at Greater Regional Medical Center.

Every seat was filled as Latham spoke to and answered questions from Rotarians about the current state of the federal government. Latham emphasized in opening statements his priority — as it was throughout his campaign — is confronting the mounting debt in the United States.

“I’m looking forward to the huge challenges ahead of us,” Latham said, “and the foremost challenge is a $16.5 trillion debt. We are adding to that debt at $1 trillion per year. That’s not sustainable, and we all know that. We must do something about that debt and do it smart.”

Partisan ways

Rotarian Joe Owens of Creston asked Latham if it’s possible politicians could put their agendas aside, work together in a bipartisan manner and do what’s best for this country.

“Can it be done? Yes,” Latham responded. “Will it happen? It doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen.”

Latham added the divide between Democrats and Republicans is so large, politicians in certain areas can be as partisan as they want and are rewarded for it by the voters each term when they’re re-elected.

Latham told the Rotary Club he’s willing to work in a bipartisan manner and do what’s best for this country even if it means his demise in the next election.

“It comes down to, do you want to play politics or do you want to get something done?” Latham said.

Healthcare

The Affordable Care Act was briefly discussed during the one-hour lunch with Latham stating when it’s fully implemented it’s likely to be a “disaster” for healthcare reimbursements and home healthcare.

Monte Neitzel, CEO at GRMC, reported Blue Cross Blue Shield reimbursement rates have changed and the hospital is now seeing a loss in revenue because of that change.